Flanagan’s Ryan Dodge Blasts His Way to Home Run Derby Title

Ryan Dodge of Flanagan opened the High School Baseball Network 2011 Fall Classic Power Showcase Home Run Derby and then closed it in thrilling fashion, hitting 13 home runs — including six in a row — to overwhelmingly win the title Saturday night at Flanagan High School.

The sophomore first baseman was the first of 37 competitors, who each had 15 outs in the first round. He hit three homers in the first round, good enough to qualify him for a spot in the second round where he wowed the crowd of more than 200 and scored some big brownie points with his coach, Ray Evans. Hunter Hope of Dwyer was the first-round leader with seven homers.

Winning the event won Dodge a free entry into the Power Showcase World Classic Home Run Derby to be held at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz., from Dec. 27-30. He will compete with the top 100 high school power hitters in the world, quite a feat for a sophomore who is still coming into his own.

“What a feeling,” Dodge said after the event. “I can’t wait to just go out there.”

Dodge, who will be moving up to the varsity squad this spring, admitted having the event at Flanagan was a plus for him.

“It’s easy to have a home run derby, but to have it on your field, it’s an advantage,” he said.

Dodge said he didn’t come into the event expecting to win. In fact, he was a little intimidated.

“I just came in thinking I’m a sophomore among seniors,” he said. “I had no chance. I think just playing the sport I love gave me a boost.”

Evans said winning the title “couldn’t have happened to a nicer kid. He’s been working hard to get in shape. He’s on the brink of what he’s capable of.”

Dodge was joined in the second round (where the players had 12 outs) by Hope as well as Colton Bottomley (Douglas, four homers), Jose Mesa (Flanagan, three homers), Anthony Birchall (Plantation, three homers), JJ Cormier (University School, three homers) and Alffredi Ramos (Mater Lakes, three homers).

Bottomley hit the longest home run of the event, a 440-foot shot. Ramos finished runner-up for the derby with six second-round homers. Cormier was third with four. The 37 competitors combined for 76 home runs overall.

Douglas announcer Rick Couvell brought his colorful commentary and encouraging words to the competitors to liven up the event, which had a charge throughout with music and a lively crowd.

“It’s what I like to do,” he said. “It seemed to be alive here.”

“It was a lot of fun,” Bottomley said. “This is pretty cool. It makes baseball as a community closer.”

Mesa said it was a “good event. The wind was blowing in, but there were a lot of balls hit hard. I had fun. I like seeing my partner from Flanagan winning. That got me excited. It’s good for people to come out, and it’s good for the competitors to see what we’re up against.”

Evans said Flanagan was grateful to get to host the event and said he hopes more players come out next year and realize the opportunity for which they are competing.

“It was a great showing for the first event,” he said. “It was a great event to showcase their ability. I think this can really blow up if more kids see what they can get.”

Dodge said the event was a good outlet for the kids who love to hit.

“People just want to hit the crap out of the ball,” he said.

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